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By Vusala Abbasova

Tobacco use is as global problem that is rapidly getting worse as the tobacco industry penetrates the developing world. There are an estimated 1.1 billion tobacco users in the world and this number is expected to increase to 1.6 billion over the next two decades.

May, 31 annually marks World No Tobacco Day highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use while advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.

This yearly celebration remind us about the dangers of using tobacco, what WHO is doing in terms of fighting the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living as well as protect future generations.

We all know tobacco smoking is harmful for our health but are we seriously covering this issue?

Tobacco is one of the main risk factors for a number of chronic diseases such as cancer. It is a worldwide known fact that cigarette smoking can and often leads to lung cancer. Smoking leads to several cancers: nose, mouth, larynx (voice box), trachea, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, cervix, bone marrow and blood. This happens because of the entire smoking process. The 41,000 chemicals which are present in cigarettes, combined with the heat of the smoke leads to mutations in cells - causing them to multiply in an uncontrolled manner, thus leading to cancer.

Unfortunately, cancer is only one harmful effect of smoking. Using tobacco can lead to such problems as formation of wrinkles and premature aging. It also weakens your heart and put you twice at risk of suffering from a heart attack or stroke. It ruins your lungs and lowers libido. It is as well as a leading cause for erectile dysfunction, it makes your bones brittle, stains your teeth, causes bad breath and finally can make you blind.

Following are some rather troubling facts associated with tobacco smoking - about half of all smokers die from smoking-related diseases. A person dies from tobacco every 6 seconds. If you are a long-term smoker, on average, your life expectancy is about 10 years less than a non-smoker. The younger you are when you start smoking, the more likely you are to smoke for longer and to die early from smoking established an online medical resource: Patient.co.uk

If people are aware of the terrible consequences of smoking, why so they start smoking or still smoke cigarettes?

One belief is that smoking is terribly addictive. It is actually the nicotine found in all forms of tobacco products which creates the addiction.

Nicotine is a highly addictive drug that acts in the brain and throughout the body. It causes the brain to release adrenaline, creating a buzz of pleasure and energy. The buzz fades quickly though, and leaves you feeling tired, a little down, and wanting the buzz again. This feeling is what makes you light up the next cigarette.

Although it would seem challenging to handle stress in any other way since cigarette smoking appears to be such an easy and quick solution, on the long run, smoking can be devastating to your health. Studies have actually established that over a period of time, cigarette smoking will add stress and damage your health. Taking five to 10 deep breaths is a better solution to stress relief.

Most people start smoking in their teens. Those who have friends and/or parents who smoke are more likely to start smoking than those who don’t. Some teens say that they “just wanted to try it,” or that they thought it was “cool” to smoke. Research suggests that children and teens may be especially sensitive to nicotine, making it easier for them to become addicted. The younger smokers are when they start, the more likely they are to become addicted. In fact, about three out of four high school smokers will become adult smokers.

Another common way youth are exposed to tobacco is through the Internet, a largely unregulated source of entertainment.

The role of advertising has absolutely a huge influence in society, especially on teenagers. The tobacco industry spends billions of dollars each year to create and market ads that show smoking as exciting, glamorous, and safe.

A number of countries have legislation restricting tobacco advertising, and regulating who can buy and use tobacco products, and where people can smoke. Despite this, it is common throughout the world.

In fact, it may be harder to quit smoking than stop using cocaine or opiates like heroin.

Researchers recently reviewed 28 different studies of people who were trying to quit using the substance they were addicted to. They focused on the people in the studies who didn’t get any medicines to help them quit. The result was unexpected - about 18 percent were able to quit drinking, and more than 40 percent were able to quit opiates or cocaine, but only 8 percent were able to quit smoking.

But don't be discouraged, millions of people have permanently quit smoking. Here are some great alternatives according to the American Heart Association:

Rethink your social breaks. If you smoke with friends to be social or with co-workers on your lunch break, it is important to tell them that you are trying to quit — and invite them to join you. If it becomes too difficult to spend time in these places where you normally smoke, think about changing your schedule or taking your breaks with nonsmokers.

Keep yourself busy. Go for walks, read a book or listen to music.

Keep your hands and your mouth busy. Chew gum, eat a healthy snack, squeeze a stress ball or play with putty.

After a meal, get up immediately from the table and engage in a pleasurable activity.

If coffee is your trigger, change something about the way you drink it. Change the mug you drink from or when and where you indulge. Start a new habit!

If you smoke in your car, remove your ashtray and replace it with potpourri or notes to remind you why you want to quit smoking.

At parties, try to stay away from smoking areas. Stay indoors or distance yourself from people who are smoking. This might be hard, but stay with it!

You might also need to cut back on alcohol. It’s hard to have will power and stay focused on your commitment when you’ve had too much to drink.

Your heart will thank you for years to come!

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